Okay, what? It seems that this evening’s memorial service in Tucscon has an upbeat name “Together We Thrive: Tucson and America”, a custom logo, and an odd schedule.

First of all, “Together We Thrive” sounds more like a union rally than a memorial service for six murdered individuals. Who chose that inappropriately upbeat, political sounding name? It’s uncomfortably odd.

Also odd: the logo. Check it out. It’s more campaign literature than memorial service. I know we’re supposed to be hopeful and all, but really? Perhaps a memorial service isn’t the best forum for upbeat, modern campaign-style imagery.

Finally, what’s with the schedule? First of all, there are no prayers or ministers listed. There is, however, a “Native American blessing”. Which tribe or tribes involved isn’t listed.

Then you have Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano speaking. Napolitano I can sort of understand, seeing as how she’s from Arizona. But why Holder? He’s currently suing the state and has nothing of symbolic value to add. Don’t tell me he’s going to lecture on civility or I’ll put my hair out of my head.

I have the same concern as Bryan Preston:

It’s not at all clear why the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General are speaking, unless they are on hand to politicize the memorial. Both are every bit as divisive figures as anyone in American life; Holder infamously called America a “nation of cowards” and tried moving the trials of major al Qaeda terrorists to the scene of their crimes, and Napolitano has helped politicize national security while doing nothing about TSA’s strip and grope regime at our airports. Their presence makes little sense when weighed against the facts of the Tucson shooting: Loughner is neither a terrorist nor a political actor nor an interstate criminal. He is alleged to be a troubled young man who committed heinous crimes.

Going by the list above, it would seem that the Democrats intend to politicize the memorial in a way that leaves the president, through his own remarks, above the fray. If that is what takes place, it will be a disgrace and the president will be sullied whatever he says.

We shall see.